The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted British national Kai West, known online as IntelBroker, for allegedly selling stolen corporate data on underground forums. The FBI-led operation uncovered a massive cybercrime case that reportedly caused over $25 million in damages.
Who Is IntelBroker?
Kai West is accused of operating under the alias “IntelBroker” on BreachForums, a notorious online cybercrime marketplace. He allegedly coordinated with other cybercriminals to steal and sell sensitive data from over 40 entities, including:
- A telecommunications company
- A municipal healthcare provider
- An internet service provider
- Multiple U.S.-based corporations
The Southern District of New York unsealed West’s indictment on Wednesday, revealing that his cyber exploits date back to January 2023 and continued until his arrest in February 2025.
$250 Bitcoin Sting Leads to Arrest
The case took a turn when an undercover FBI agent posed as a buyer, offering to purchase hacked data for $250 in Bitcoin (BTC). West allegedly provided access credentials to administrative accounts after confirming the payment. This sting directly tied him to the criminal activity.
Authorities say West used the address to receive BTC payments and also accepted Monero (XMR) for increased transaction privacy.
He was arrested in France earlier this year and now awaits extradition to the United States to face charges.
Breaching Security for Profit
A forensic review showed that IntelBroker started 158 threads on BreachForums, with at least 41 threads selling data from U.S. companies. In 16 of those, the combined asking price reached over $2.4 million, making West one of the forum’s most active data brokers.
He even rose to the rank of site administrator on BreachForums in August 2024, gaining control over one of the internet’s most dangerous cybercrime hubs.
FBI Assistant Director Christopher Raia called West a “serial hacker” who turned stolen data into millions of dollars in illicit funds.
The Bigger Cybersecurity Picture
This arrest comes amid a wave of massive data breaches, including the Coinbase support leak and the exposure of 16 billion login credentials online. Experts warn that insider threats and cybercrime forums remain top risks for organizations, especially those in finance and tech.
The FBI’s success in tracking West with blockchain forensics reflects a growing capability to combat cybercrime—even across borders.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.